Due to the COVID-19 outbreak many livelihoods have been severely affected and those who depend on daily wages have lost their jobs and sources of income. 27-year-old Mufana lives in the Vavuniya town with her two children and her husband who is a priest at a local mosque. Her husband is the breadwinner of their family and the income he earned was not sufficient to manage the family expenses.
Through the second phase of the Local Economic and Social Strengthening (LESS-II) project, ADRA supported Mufana to start tailoring during the middle of March, just before the country was under lockdown. While many of the livelihood assisted beneficiaries of the project were unable to start their activities due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, Mufana identified the need and the demand for face masks due to the current situation and decided to produce them. So far she has sold more than 2500 masks. While she sells her products to the local market, she is also one of the selected and endorsed suppliers for the MOH (Office of the Medical Officer of Health) staff. At present her husband helps her in marketing and transporting the products, while she tailors and produces them. As a result of ADRA’s intervention their monthly income has drastically increased due to the demand for face masks. As this demand may not be remain the same once the COVID-19 pandemic fades away she has decided to start producing other essential products such as maternity gowns, bed sheets, pillowcases etc. Moreover, this period has allowed her to network with suppliers and sellers and to make a substantial capital which can be utilized to develop her business endeavor further more.
Mufana is extremely happy that she was able to earn a considerable income through her self started business amidst so many challenges and difficulties. She also expresses her sincere gratitude to the Department of Home Affairs and the entire ADRA project team, for giving her a means of income during the lockdown that has become a means of survival for her.
The Local Economic and Social Strengthening (LESS) project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
